Tuesday, April 17, 2018

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”

The Bible has been a world-wide best-selling book for many years, but imagine if there was but one copy and that Bible became lost, stuck in some unused closet and forgotten. Years passed. The country’s leadership changed over time. A new president decided to make some repairs on the state religious center and in the process this old book, the Bible, was found. This leader read the book and wept to think how far the country had strayed from the precepts of God’s word. The president asked some religious professionals to talk to God about the problem.

This is what happened in the reign of King Josiah. He undertook repairs to the Temple. He listened to the words of God in the Book of the Law. He initiated a conversation with God. He inquired of the priests to find out what God had to say about how the people had abandoned Him. There was a female prophet named Huldah, who gave God’s reply. Josiah humbled himself before the Lord, and tore his robes as a symbol of his sorrow over the sins of his people. Therefore he would live a long life and be buried in peace. Because of his faithfulness, the disaster awaiting Israel would be delayed.

Many people can bring on disaster, when as a culture, they allow wrong to be perpetuated. But one good person can turn the tide. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Take the narrow path – the right one. God is waiting for you there.

Prayer

Dear God, I can make choices that are good, or choices that do harm. Help me stand up for you, even if I am one against many. Let me take the narrow road of life, in Jesus Christ. Amen.